The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, June 09, 1976, Image 15
L J. Foyt speeds to Texas 500 win THE BATTALION Paqe 5B WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1976 By PAUL McGRATH Battalion Sports Editor A.}. Foyt breathed a sigh of relief he plopped into a chair to face the edia. A damp towel encircled his >ck while he relaxed in the air mditioned comfort of the Texas 'odd Speedway press box. His feat-streaked hair explored cauti- sly from underneath a baseball ip while his dark, grease-stained ice showed the strains of four iurs of high-speed driving. “I am :ry happy,” he said. “I finally oved I could win a 500 mile race the state of Texas.” The Houstonian claimed his first icing win ever in the Lone Star (ate as he beat by more than a lap arry “Butch” Hartman in the fifth inning of the Texas 500. Foyt held iepole position with the best qual- ying time of 169.531 miles per our and 250 laps later received the leckered flag. The three-time Indy inner averaged 124.069 miles per our in his red 1976 Chevy in re ading the win. Foyt was paraded to the winner’s Ircle by fans, photographer’s and a ibilant pit crew. He grinned idely as he received the trophy, a issfrom the Speedway queen and a n of cold beer. To the victor the oils they say. Foyt, who is the all-time United itates Auto Club championship oints leader, led for 157 laps of the ft-delayed race. Eleven caution for a total of 52 laps allowed all Irivers to make their way to the pits fen as neceassary without causing Isadvantage. Foyt’s pit crew had to ie one key to his success. Five he and the runner-up lartman came into the pits to other and only once did the Zanes- ille, Ohio native get underway head of Foyt. A.J. went in front to stay on the !03rd lap and increased the margin letween Hartman and himself rhen Hartman was forced to pit his 974 Dodge on the 297th lap due to lire problems. Hartman dueled lamo Stott, 1975 US AC champion, there afterwards and managed to nish half a lap in front of him. The crowd of over 31,200, the argest yet to attend Texas World ipeedway, was given a shock when iay Darnell’s 1974 Dodge went ab- aze in front of the grandstands on Arlene Hiss the main straightaway. Pieces of his car scattered across the track, but Darnell was able to halt his car on the turn one infield and suffered no injury. Later, Jeff Bloom, who had spun out twice previously, collided his 1976 Camaro into the turn three wall and careened into the infield, hitting the infield barrier. Bloom was later examined at a hospital and was reported only shaken up. Of the 36 drivers who started the race, only 16 were running at the conclusion. Foyt received quite a challenge from Ferrell Harris, an unknown from Pikeville, Ky., in the middle part of the race. Harris was the sec ond fastest qualifier at 168.264 miles per hour but was hampered by a faulty water pump during the race and was forced to retire. “Harris had a fast car,” A.J. said. “If he ever got away from me, school was out.” He added that he had to run bet ter in the corners than the other drivers because many had faster cars in the straightaways. Foyt had his share of problems too, as the rear end pump cooler of the brand-new Gilmore began squirting oil. “I didn’t think we would get there (to the end),” he said. While in the pits, Foyt joked that his mechanics were still build ing the car and removing some of the bugs. IVe’d like to take you for a ride Mey, Mr. suave and sophisticated . . try this on lor size. It's the Raleigh Sports. Think bikes are for kids? Think again! This one's spe cially made for the guy who's a mover. Three speeds, satety- qulck brakes, genuine leather saddle, touring bag . . . every thing you need to travel in style. See your Raleigh dealer, he's got a set of wheels waiting lor you. Come on along! The Texas 500 was an historic oc casion for women drivers as it was the first time two women had ever finished a race. Arlene Hiss and Martha Wideman, both driving 1974 Dodges, placed ninth and 21st respectively. Hiss’ finish was the highest yet by a woman driver. Both women suffered from the in tense heat as did all of the drivers. The combination of sun, tire friction and hot metal was almost overpow ering. “I’m happy I finished,” the exhausted Wideman said. “I just wish I could have placed higher.” Hiss said, “I’m a lot happier about this race than the other one (the Phoenix 150 in March where she place 15th). I didn’t place in the top group like A.J. and Butch, but I was passing some cars out there.” When asked about women driv ers, Foyt said, “Women rule the world anyway, so why can’t they race?” Hartman said, “They did a fine job. We had a little trouble throw ing kisses to each other in the cor ners’ though.” Both Foyt and Hartman were curious as to why the feminine duo did not kiss the queen following the race. Foyt also commented that he “was glad to finish a 500 mile race to see who could finish, ” in obvious re ference to the rain-halted Indy 500 of a week before where he placed second to fellow Texan Johnny Rutherford. Rutherford did not compete in the Texas 500 because of commit ments in the East, but was present for a short time at the race. “I didn’t have a good car,” Rutherford said, “and it was kind of hard on such short notice. The two-time Indy winner flashed his 1974 Indy championship ring and said, “I would like to be running, but it’s a helluva lot cooler up here (in the press box).” He said he was glad to see the speedway open again because “this is too nice a facility to sit dormant.” He congratulated Speedway Presi dent Dick Conole for his efforts in rekindling racing enthusiasism in Texas. Conole said, “We couldn’t have asked for a greater race. We are very pleased. We knew from our advance sales we would have a good crowd, but we expected nothing like this.” Foyt squelched rumors about a , possible retirement when he told newsmen, “I still have some races to win and some points to make. We won’t give up until we get too old to buckle the seat belt. ” In winning the Texas 500, Foyt received a purse of $11,000 in addi tion to the trophy, which he says may “go a ledge or two higher than the others” he has received during his long and illustrious career. The next race at Texas World Speedway will be August 1 with the running of the Texas Twin 150’s featuring Indy cars. Tickets will be available at the Speedway business office. BUSINESS Inquire About Our Term Starting June 29 Phone 822-6423 or 822-2368 The US AC safety car (at far left) led the field a great deal of the time during the Texas 500 as 11 caution flags plagued the fifth running of the event. Most drivers used the flagged time for pit stops. pholos by Steve Goble After the race, winner A. J. Foyt (center, holding trophy) is mobbed by fans and photographers. The That Place PROGRESSIVE PRECISION HAIRCUTTING 707 TEXAS 846-6933 Houston driver won his first race ever in the state of Texas, as well as $11,000 in prize money. Allen Academy is now accepting applications for summer and fall terms. Summer term begins June 21. If you are looking for a private school for your son or daughter to improve their academic achievement, (grade 6-12) write or call: Director of Admissions The Allen Academy Box 953/Bryan, Tx. 77801 (713) 779-0066 CENTRAL CYCLE & SUPPLY Sales Service Accessories 3505 E. 29th St. — 822-2228 — Closed Monday Take East University to 29th St. (Tarrow Street) Top of the Tower Texas A&M University Pleasant Dining — Great View SERVING LUNCHEON BUFFET 11:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. 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